The Kingdom of Lione

Chapter 2

Back on the west side of the forest where civilisation lay, Fisher, a brooding gentleman with silver hair and, silver eyes, with a silver moustache and a perfectly trimmed silver beard that bore a striking contrast to his olive touched, tanned skin. He embodied the epitome of what it meant to be a gentleman, even going as far as only wearing suits. As the owner of 'The Brown Fox' he looked out of place in the run-down pub; placed behind the counter making drinks with flare and pizazz. He was extremely tall and well built – a silver fox. Literally. He exuded charm and class despite his rough surroundings, with men and women shouting and laughing, filling the air with the scent of cigars, tea, bread, beer and meat. Fisher smiled to himself as he looked over his customers, proud of the atmosphere his pub was responsible for creating, it was peaceful.

"Oi Fisher! Fetch us another drink will you." A drunk man yelled from across the pub.

"Young man that's what the waitresses are for." Fisher muttered under his breath. It was a new customer, and he didn't like him one bit.

"Huh? What'd you say old man?" his words all slurring together. "You! Pretty miss gimme another drink doll face." He let out a guttural burp, him and his friends burst out laughing. Sweat dripped down his forehead and trailed down making a puddly home in the folds of his neck. His face was flushed bearing a lewd expression. The waitress shuddered at the sight of him.

"Yes sir, right away." Through gritted teeth and a fake smile she left in disgust quickly making her way to the counter where Fisher was. "Can we get more ale for that creepy bunch over there." Fisher stopped abruptly mid-drying a cup.

"Are they bothering you by any chance Lexa?" an eery chill went down Lexa's spine. Not because of the pigs behind her, instead it was the eery calmness in Fisher's voice. Unable to hide her expression in time, Fisher had already begun making his way over to the group that had dared discomfort his only employee. The men continued to shout and sing, making targets of every woman within eyeline. A tap on the shoulder was felt by the large man from earlier. He swivelled around with no sense of balance. The room fell silent. "Eh? What you want old man?"

"Rule number one of being a gentleman: thou shall not show indecent behaviour. Two: thou shall not cause a lady discomfort -"

"Look I don't know what you're talking about but –" Fisher began to loom over him silencing him instantly.

"Three: thou shall uphold conduct and honour worthy of the title 'man'. You, boy, have managed to break all three in the space of two minutes. Now, I am not one to use profanities often so please, pardon my language but, I do believe it is time that I beat the complete and utter shit out of you, no?" adjusting his gloves and the cuffs of his sleeves an instant gush of wind passed though the room from the sheer force of swinging his fist. A second had passed and the man was on the floor completely pulverised before any of them were able to even process what had happened Fisher spoke again. "Now the rest of you, if you understand pay and get out and take this oaf with you." They did so with immediate effect, lugging their defeated friend out of the door. Fisher had already fixed his sleeves and removed his gloves handing them over to Lexa. As if by routine she closed her eyes in concentration as she thrust her hand into the air causing it to disappear along with the gloves. Having created a rip in space she was able to retrieve new gloves and dispose of the old ones. The ability to manipulate space was rare, particularly in the Kingdom of Weldon. The tear in space disappeared and she handed him a fresh pair of gloves, 

"You're lucky I washed them this morning. Also, you have got to stop beating customers black and blue, it's bad for business. Here." She helped him button the other sleeve and fixed his bow tie. She never understood his obsession with manliness and the 'being a gentleman' persona, in truth, no one did but it was accepted regardless. There were far stranger things in the world. With that, the atmosphere returned with the overlapping conversations of customers once again. Lexa went back to serving and Fisher to the counter. It was apparent that such events were somewhat of a regular occurrence.